Publisher: Sheba Blake Publishing
The longish short story "Adieu" is an excerpt from Honore de Balzac's sweeping masterpiece The Human Comedy. A ghost story of sorts, this tragic tale recounts the blossoming romance of two lovers whose relationship is torn asunder by the vagaries of war. When they reunite by chance years later, there is nothing left to be salvaged.
The Anthony Award–winning author presents a “highly readable” anthology featuring mysteries by Stephen King, Megan Abbott, Elmore Leonard and more (Publishers Weekly). “What you’ll find in this volume are stories that demonstrate a mastery of plotting; stories that compel you to keep turning the pages because of plot and because of setting; stories that wield suspense like a sword; stories of people getting their comeuppance; stories that utilize superb point of view; stories that plumb one particular and unfortunate attribute of a character,” promises guest editor Elizabeth George in her introduction. The Best American Mystery Stories 2016 is a feast of both literary crime and hard-boiled detection, featuring a seemingly innocent murderer, a drug dealer in love, a drunken prank gone terribly wrong, and plenty of other surprising twists and turns. The Best American Mystery Stories 2016 includes entries by Steve Almond, Megan Abbott, Matt Bell, Lydia Fitzpatrick, Tom Franklin, Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and others. “There isn’t enough Xanax in anyone’s medicine cabinet to calm the jitters these 20 skillful stories will unleash on a worried world.” —Kirkus ReviewsShow book
Vinn Gagliardi has everything he desires…Except for his wife!Vinn wants his estranged wife, Ailsa, back on his arm. And given that she ran out of their marriage, he’s not above blackmailing her into agreeing to his plan—a temporary reunion that will end on his terms! But passionate Ailsa meets his fire with fire. Now the challenge is on for Vinn to entice her into succumbing to his scorching seduction!Show book
Three sexy contemporary romances in one collection for the first time by New York Times bestselling author Tawny Weber and USA Today bestselling authors Lynne Graham and Catherine Mann.A RING TO SECURE HIS HEIR by Lynne GrahamWorking late is nothing new for tycoon Alex—and it's the perfect excuse to get close to office cleaner Rosie Gray. Intoxicated by the after-hours attentions of the mysterious businessman, Rosie's dreams end with the slamming of the bedroom door on their one-night stand. Discovering she's pregnant, she goes to confront him, but no one at work has heard of "Alex Kolovos." They do, however, know Alexius Stavroulakis, the CEO, and he has a glittering proposal for her!MIDNIGHT SPECIAL by Tawny WeberSomewhere on the train is a key witness to a murder. And reporter Marni Clare will do whatever it takes to get the story—even crashing in an unreserved sleeper car. But when she wakes, she finds herself curled up with the man she's seeking…and he's hot enough to derail all her plans! FBI special agent Hunter won't complain about the hot blonde in his arms. And maybe it's the medication he's on, but he's even agreed to share his room…. It's a long trip, and within days their berth becomes the scene of some steamy railway romps. But is Marni just having fun…or is she taking Hunter for a ride?ALL OR NOTHING by Catherine MannDespite the warning signs, Jayne Hughes married the bad boy. And Conrad Hughes, casino magnate, did just that with his absences and lies. Now she's ready to move on, but her husband has other plans…. Conrad's undercover work for Interpol destroyed his marriage. When Jayne comes to Monte Carlo seeking a divorce, he launches an all-out assault. Seducing his wife back into his bed is easy; earning her trust is another matter. Yet Conrad knows the odds favor the house. And he has no intentions of losing.Show book
A breathtaking collection of wonders and horrors—including robotic surrogate parents and zombie voters—from a new acknowledged master of darkest fantasy Whether speculating on an all-too-possible future or plumbing the stygian depths of supernatural evil and human degradation, Dale Bailey’s award-winning short fiction has been justifiably compared to the work of some of the true giants in the field—Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, and Theodore Sturgeon, to name but a few. In this first collection of astonishing stories, the acclaimed author of the modern horror masterworks The Fallen and House of Bones demonstrates his remarkable range with tales that exhilarate, terrify, and touch the soul. A young boy comes of age on a secluded farm that grows a particularly grisly crop. The dead rise up to cast their ballots in a close presidential election. An assassin plots his next kill from inside the body of someone frighteningly close to the victim. An African American census taker discovers a hidden bayou town where time has stopped at a nightmarish point in history. Bailey takes readers inside the tents of a circus of shadows and explores an expectant father’s dark and terrible legacy for his unborn child. This extraordinary collection runs the gamut from fantasy to horror, from science fiction to heartbreaking reality, speaking in voices, old and young, that brilliantly capture the light and the darkness of their ingeniously imagined worlds. Includes the Nebula Award–nominated novelette, “The Resurrection Man’s Legacy.”Show book
In this domestic thriller short story by a #1 New York Times–bestselling author, a grieving mother plots revenge for her son. When a five-year-old boy is found dead and presumed thrown from a window, his mother must live with the loss, reminded each day of his death, all while she plots revenge on the person who killed him. But revenge is never simple, especially when wealth and power are used to hide the truth . . . “Lisa Jackson’s story ‘Vintage Death’ keeps the reader guessing and on tenterhooks from start to finish.” —Publishers Weekly Originally published in Thriller 2 (2009), edited by #1 New York Times–bestselling author Clive Cussler. Don’t miss any of these exciting stories from Thriller 2: The Weapon by Jeffery Deaver Remaking by Blake Crouch Iced by Harry Hunsicker Justice Served by Mariah Stewart The Circle by David Hewson Roomful of Witnesses by R.L. Stine The House on Pine Terrace by Phillip Margolin The Desert Here and the Desert Far Away by Marcus Sakey On the Run by Carla Neggers Can You Help Me Out Here? by Robert Ferrigno Crossed Double by Joe Hartlaub The Lamented by Lawrence Light Vintage Death by Lisa Jackson Suspension of Disbelief by Tim Maleeny A Calculated Risk by Sean Chercover The Fifth World by Javier Sierra Ghost Writer by Gary Braver Through a Veil Darkly by Kathleen Antrim Bedtime for Mr. Li by David J. Montgomery Protecting the Innocent by Simon Wood Watch Out for My Girl by Joan Johnston Killing Time by Jon Land Boldt’s Broken Angel by Ridley PearsonShow book
I’m not going to stop. I’m going to drown in you, and then I’m going to do it again. And again. Until I’ve had my fill.Zoe Brook has been sent to clean up a bad boy’s reputation. And that’s just fineshe knows all about hiding the sins of the past. But Hunter Grant, sports hero and renowned womaniser is so much more than she ever expected.Money, passion and power come as naturally to this man as the women who flock to his bed. But Zoe’s determined not to be another notch on his bedpost. So when Hunter turns his considerable focus and energy to seducing her, she draws on every sharp put-down in her arsenal. But with no sassy comebacks left, the final words on Zoe’s lips are Yes. Oh, yes.Collect all three novels in the Fifth Avenue Trilogy:AVENGE ME by USA TODAY bestselling author Maisey YatesSCANDALIZE ME by USA TODAY bestselling author Caitlin CrewsEXPOSE ME by USA TODAY bestselling author Kate HewittShow book
